God Wants to Transform Us

“17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is

contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other…” Galatians 5:17

There is a battle inside every believer.  There are two natures at war with each other.  The sinful nature is battling against the Spirit and the Spirit is battling against the sinful nature.  God has put you in charge of deciding which nature will win.  Paul shows us this battle in graphic detail in Romans, Ephesians and Galatians.  Let’s have a look. 

5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness….13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  Romans 8:5-10, 13-14

See the sinful nature has its mind set on fleshly desires, even evil desires, but the spiritual person has their mind set on the things of the Spirit.  The sinful nature is opposed to God.  It is God’s enemy.  It does not consider Him or follow Him.  Indeed, it cannot.  The sinful nature lacks the ability to do good.  It is completely corrupted.  The Spirit IS good and cannot be anything but good.  So we must allow the Spirit to help us ‘put to death the misdeeds of the body.’  Let’s consider another insightful passage from Galatians.

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:7-9

Here is the scripture that is quoted so often, ‘A man reaps what he sows.’  Notice the context here.  This scripture is talking about sowing to the sinful nature or sowing to the Spirit.  Whichever one we chose to sow to we will reap a harvest from.  God forgives your sin when you ask Him but the consequences of your sin may still come to ‘find you out.’  Long after we have been forgiven we are still reaping the consequences of our sin.  However, long after we follow the Spirit, we can be reaping spiritual blessing.  Let’s continue to dive into this.

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.  18But if you are lead by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-25

God has given us His Spirit, living right inside us, to help us live according to the Spirit and not gratify the fleshly nature.  OK so how do we do this?  Let’s look at a few more scriptures.

 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature….9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator….16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom Colossians 3:1-5, 9-10, 16

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:4-5

As all of us reflect the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, we are being transformed into the same image with ever-increasing glory by the Lord's Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

God wants to transform us by the renewing of our minds.  Our mind decides whether to follow the sinful nature or the Spirit, and where the mind leads the body, will, and emotions follow.  The mind leads us into sin or into holiness.  God wants to transform us into His likeness.  This is what the Christian faith is all about, becoming more like Him.  So we need to ask the Spirit to help us renew our minds.  We need to set our focus on Him (Heb 12:1-2, Phil 3:7-9, 12-14, Col 2:6-17, 2 Cor 4:16-18, 2 Cor 5:7), and take every thought captive until it obeys Christ (2 Cor 10:-5 [above], Phil 4:4-8).  We need to allow His Spirit to strengthen us in our inner man and bring us to the full measure of Christ (Eph 314:21 ;1:17-22).  We need to fill our minds with what the Word of God says about us and Himself (Eph 2:1-10).  If we do these things God will transform us into His likeness.  

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18

Remember He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6)!  Those who love Him and are faithful to Him will win His favor (Prov 3:3-6)!  We have as much of God as we want to have…He has made Himself fully available.

Oh, God who dwells in heaven and in the hearts of men, come and lead us into life everlasting.  Show us by your Spirit the paths we should walk in.  Help us be transformed in our minds that we would chose freely to follow you, for you are good!  Help us to rely upon your Spirit and to live according to your Spirit that we might reap the rewards of knowing you and being filled with your presence, purity, and power.  To your name alone be all the glory!   Amen!

References

All Scriptures not specified are quoted from Life in the Spirit Study Bible (NIV). Stamps, Donald C., and John Wesley Adams. Life in the Spirit Study Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003. Print.

Worship is Renewing Your Mind

Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 that we should present our bodies as living sacrifices for this is our “reasonable service of worship”.  He goes on to show us one of the most important ways we can offer our bodies as living sacrifices—the renewal of our minds. 

Rom 12:1  I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship.   2  Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is-what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.

Paul urges us to “continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds.”  Thayer's Greek Definitions for the word translated as “transformed” are “to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure.”  The same word is used here in the following scriptures referencing Jesus' transfiguration where his whole being changed.  His very likeness was wholly different.  They could not help but be dazzled by the complete transformation which had occurred.

Mat 17:2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Mar 9:2  And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

The same word is also used to describe our process of transfiguration as we behold the Lord and ask Him to change us by His Spirit:

2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Next we should look at the word renew.  Thayer's definition is “a renewal, renovation, complete change for the better.”  We can grasp the concept here by thinking about a home renovation.  The home is often gutted leaving the structure but renovating the decor.  Sometimes even the structure itself is moved around.  We may move,  create or destroy a wall to change the function or decorum.  So too, we must renew or restructure our thinking to line up with what God would have us to think.  Remember the old saying?

“Be careful what you think; your thoughts become your words… Be careful what you say; your words become your actions… Be careful how you act; your actions become your habits… Be careful how you behave; your habits become your destiny"

The Scriptures confirm this also.  Pro 23:7  “for as he thinks in his heart, so is he”  Jesus also put great weight on thoughts.  He extended the law and the prophets to include the thought life.  (See the sermon on the mount where he equates thinking evil of someone as the same as murder or to think lustful thoughts the same as committing adultery.  Matthew chapter 5)  He also answered the question of what is the greatest commandment like this:

Mat 22:37  Jesus said to him, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'  38  This is the greatest and most important commandment.  39  The second is like it: 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.'  40  All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments."

Jesus states here that loving God with our mind is part of the greatest commandment.  We must then ask ourselves these questions.  How does God want us to think?  What should we set our minds upon?  Where should our thoughts come from and return to?  How do we keep our thoughts in check?  What would Jesus do?  How would Jesus think?

Phi 4:4  Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times. I will say it again: Keep on rejoicing!  5  Let your forbearing spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near:  6  Never worry about anything, but in every situation let your petitions be made known to God in prayers and requests, with thanksgiving.  7  Then God's peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things.

Here we see the kinds of things God would have us to be thinking about and spending mental energy on.  Notice the lack of our current stressors here: job, finances, relationships, hurts, failures, negative self image.  Think about praiseworthy things.  In short, think about God and how He is thinking about you and those around you and how He thinks about each situation in your life and the lives of those around you

Phi 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.  4  Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others.  5  For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6  who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, 7  but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.  8  And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus had in mind the things of the Spirit.  He had a humble attitude and submitted fully to God's will even to the point of death.  So we too should think about and be concerned about the problems facing those around us-- not just our own problems.

2Co 10:4  For the weapons of our warfare are not those of the flesh. Instead, they have the power of God to demolish fortresses. We tear down arguments 5  and every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive in order to obey Christ.

Are we forcing our thought life to come in line with the Word of God?  If Jesus were standing in front of you, would you openly discuss your current thought patterns with Him?  Do you really believe and act like God knows all or do you believe and act like your thoughts are your own?

Eph 4:22  Regarding your former way of life, you were taught to strip off your old man, which is being ruined by its deceptive desires, 23  to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24  and to clothe yourselves with the new man, which was created according to the likeness of God in righteousness and true holiness.

Stripping off the old man and being renewed happens when we are in communion with God, through relationship with Him and His Word.

Romans 8:5-17 Tells us the mind should be set on spiritual things not set on the flesh.  The mind set on the flesh cannot please God.  We have an obligation to live according to the Spirit because we are children of God.

Rom 8:26  In the same way, the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself intercedes with groans too deep for words, 27  and the one who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, for the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to God's will.  28  And we know that he works all things together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

The Spirit can pray through us when we do not know how to pray.   The Spirit prays the perfect will of God when we do not know how to pray.

1Co 2:16  For "Who has known the mind of the Lord so that he can advise him?" However, we have the mind of Christ

Through the Spirit we  can have the mind of Christ.  So we should renew our minds with prayer (conversation with God – both ways), praying in tongues, worship in song, scripture reading, reading books which help us think correctly about God, ourselves and the things He has given to us as our inheritance.   This allows us to recognize God's will based on hearing from Him directly and the principles we have studied from His Word.

All people view life from the grid of their experiences, thoughts, and beliefs.  Our goal is to heal bad past experiences through the grace of God and bring our thoughts and beliefs in line with God's view of things.  When we completely understand who God is, what He has done for us, what He has stored up for us as our inheritance, and how He views us, then we will boldly ask for our inheritance knowing that God delights in giving it to us!  Then we will experience our inheritance  as He intended, with power and the  presence of God!   Our thoughts will be lined up with His thoughts and it will not be difficult to tell what His will is because we are being renewed by His Spirit constantly in our thinking.  When we start thinking from the Kingdom perspective, things change.  People get healed, restored, set free.  God is seated firmly on the throne of our lives and our ambitions, goals, and desires are straight in line with God's view of things.  We start thinking of the long-term, eternal benefits.  We start having faith for what God has purchased for us.  We start appropriating the promises of God for our lives and the lives of those around us.  We are changed to be like Him.  We begin to see what a great God we serve and we begin to believe what He says about us.  We begin to believe He has wonders stored up for us which we cannot image.  We begin to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

References

All Scriptures not specified are quoted from Life in the Spirit Study Bible (NIV). Stamps, Donald C., and John Wesley Adams. Life in the Spirit Study Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003. Print.